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Appealing on parents medical grounds?

Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2010 8:17 pm
by anfield05
Hi i was wondering if anybody could advise me on our upcoming appeal for my daughter.Basically i was diagnosed with cancer last july which as you can understand was very traumatic for me and my family, i underwent major surgery in august and spent the next 4 months recovering from my treatment. My daughter sat the school entrance exams in the october (her sister already attends there) but did not pass,( she finished 246 out of a total of 740 which we were still very proud of) she has always acheived consistantly at school and has just been given her school assessment marks for this year of 5b for english , maths and science(they never sat heir sats at her school this year) we felt we let her down as we approached the entrance exams as we obviously couldn't prepare her for them in the same way as we did with her older sister, i have a fantastic letter from her school headmaster stating all her qualities and i also have medical statements regarding my diagnosis and treatment. I'm just a little worried what they will ask us and how in depth they will discuss my medical condition(i still get upset talking about it and don't want to fall to pieces on the day) i would be really grateful for any advice on what to expect, thanks sue x

Re: Appealing on parents medical grounds?

Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2010 9:27 pm
by Etienne
I'm so sorry to hear what you've been through. Most appeal panels are used to distressing cases, and quite skilled in handling them sensitively.

I'd be surprised if they asked you much about your illness and treatment, provided you've submitted (or will be submitting) the medical evidence. Basically they need confirmation of the period over which you were affected. You could try and pre-empt any discussion by saying at the outset "I hope I've given you all the medical information you need as I do find it distressing to talk about the details of what I've been through."

Questions are more likely to focus on what signs there may have been of the impact on your daughter.

Secondly - and most crucially - they will want to see as much evidence as possible of academic ability (other than in the period July - December 2009), and you are dependent on the headteacher for most of this:
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/11plus ... rs.php#b11

Hope this helps, but do ask if you have any further questions.

Re: Appealing on parents medical grounds?

Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2010 10:22 pm
by anfield05
Thank you for your quick reply, i have been reading the section regarding q&a and it has helped a lot, i have submitted my medical evidence and a wonderful staetment from my daughters headteacher explaining how she has always been a high acheiver at school and her school assessment scores, it has given me a lot to go on, many thanks, sue.